Published online by Cambridge University Press: 03 September 2012
We have pursued some of the fundamental chemistry and materials science ofamericium in three glass matrices, two being high-temperature (850° and1400°C melting points) silicate-based glasses and the third a sol-gel glass.Optical spectroscopy was the principal investigating tool in the studies.One aspect of this work was to determine the oxidation state exhibited byamericium in these matrices, as well as factors that control and/or mayalter this state. We have noted a correlation between the oxidation state ofthe f-elements in the two high-temperature glasses with theirhigh-temperature oxide chemistries. One exception was americium: althoughamericium dioxide is the stable oxide encountered in air, when this dioxidewas incorporated into the high-temperature glasses, only trivalent americiumwas found in the products. When trivalent americium was used to prepare thesol-gel glasses at ambient temperature, and after these products were heatedin air to 800°C, again only trivalent americium was observed. Potentialexplanations for the unexpected behavior of americium is offered in thecontext of its basic chemistry. Experimental spectra, spectroscopieassignments and other pertinent data obtained in the studies arediscussed.